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Mohammed Al Tajer, Bahraini lawyer and human rights activists
I think broadcasting this video footage at this time was certainly meant because it is clear that the questions and answers were prepared
The authority tries to make these kind of answers sound like facts and the political detainees are forced to make such confessions
But this isn't new to us because over the past five years these confessions were repeatedly used against political and religious figures
We saw how the confessions were aimed to create evidence against Sheikh Issa Qassim and Sheikh Ali Salman
that they are responsible for violence on streets But if course this is not believed because both Sheikhs have declared their stance towards violence
But the authorities responsible for arrest and interrogation continue to use downgrading methods
like stripping detainees of their clothes
A repeated scene of Abu Ghuraib prison
and which the brought wide rage
This provides evidence on the methods used by these apparatuses
over years, or actually decades
However, its clear that over the recent years,
these apparatuses felt they are not to be held accountable for their behaviour
I believe nobody in the state criminalises these actions
although they are criminalised by law
and by international covenants Bahrain is part of
especially the Convention against Torture
and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
As well as treaties to protect prosecuted and pending investigation detainees
Those conducting interrogations, have continued to use abuse and severe torture
to an extent that most politicians feel despaired
because no deterrent stops them
Torture has reached extent where teeth are broken
Legs and arms are broken
Its reached an extent where it causes permanent deformities
and back injuries
Sadly, while the state media is increasingly talking about human rights
these practices are obvious to everyone
Even if this footage was meant to deliver a message
that political detainees have made confessions against the two Sheikhs
its been leaked to deliver another message
that is; the same methods still exist and nobody can stop them
because this is supreme policy in the state
Those practicing such torture methods are given OK to use every method no matter how downgrading it is Including stripping clothes off and abusing a detainee
and broadcasting this footage
Why was this person meant to appear with naked chest
and we don't know if he had anything on to cover his private parts
It is obvious that broadcasting this footage wasn't mockery
This gives an example of the dirty levels the security services have fallen to
in their treatment to different kinds of detainees
No just political detainees
Because even criminal detainees are subjected to downgrading treatment in the security institutions
I have confessions of non-Bahrainis
who have been robbed and electrocuted
I have photographs of electrocuted tongues, knees and legs of detainees in criminal cases
There is a problem in the country
The problem is not only arrests and harsh sentences
and coerced confessions under torture
There is a problem of a moral downfall in the system of the state
and this is why these issues go on
Such practices appear because there is no deterrent to stop them
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